o-k, I see the reasoning behind that......when it is time for the next "freshening" which should be about this time next year, I intend on going with an aftermarket 4-bolt main block...I had originally planned to do just that this time, but time and unexpected other expences kept me from doing it...
I've seen the nice shiny new aluminum girdles and wondered how they could be of any use.....
The girdle I have is a nice machined piece, kinda heavy I thought when I picked it up...I did have the machine shop install it and torque plates when the machine work was done on my block, so I guess I did the right thing for once...
Also was told that a OEM production 302 block like mine should safely take 425hp, much beyound that, the block will tend to crack/brake under pressure of high rpms in the upper webbing of the crank journals....to the naked eye, that looks like it very well could be a weak point...
A number of guys I race with use the different aftermarket 4-bolt blocks (302 to 347 cu in) and most make more hp than my motor, one in particular is making about 120hp more than my current motor, he has been running that block for 5 or 6 seasons now with no problems,on the other hand a number of guys with OEM are getting 2 maybe 3 seasons out of their blocks...
Thanks for the reply Gordon.
Quote:
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"Hold the pieces together when the motor blows up."
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Ex; if you've ever seen the bottom end of an engine after a "catastrophic" engine failure, you'll know what I mean.over the years, I've seen the weidest things happen to piston,rods, camshafts, crankshaftsand cylinder heads after an engine lets go, most I did not believe until I saw the results myself.... the best one was a smalblock chevy dirt track motor, they forgot to torque the rod bolts down, one rod looked just like a pretzel!!!!!!!!!
David